Lough 41 Championship.
Loughgall vs Ards.
Lakeview Park.
Saturday 29th October at 3.00 p.m.
A big challenge this weekend as Ards travel to take on runaway League leaders Loughgall. Up until last weekend the Villagers had been unbeaten in the League and had also claimed the scalp of Glenavon in the League Cup. Add this to their comprehensive 5-0 defeat of the Red and Blues in the second game of the season and most Ards fans will travel in hope rather than expectation.
Loughgall not only have the most prolific attack with 27 League goals scored, they also have the tightest defence with only four conceded, two of those coming in the defeat at Warrenpoint last time out. Ten outfield players have found the back of the net so far this season with Nathaniel Ferris notching five and Nedas Maciulaitis and Benji Magee both on four. Magee, who was briefly with Ards, has scored most of his goals from the subs bench. Ards have had seven different goalscorers so far but the bulk of their goals have been shared between Eamon Scannell and Adam Salley who both scored last weekend and currently have seven each.
However, Tipton's men will not travel without hope, the side is looking more settled and they won their fourth consecutive home game when beating second placed Annagh United with a good performance last Saturday. Matthew Tipton will have good memories of his previous visit to Loughgall when he took charge of Ards for the first time last February and came away with an unexpected but fully merited 3-2 win.
Currently in fifth place, Ards will be hoping for a win that will help them climb the table as the two sides immediately above them face each other when the recently managerless Dundela take on Warrenpoint on Saturday. However the division is currently so tight that both Ballinamallard and Ballyclare who play away to Newington and the Welders respectively on Friday night, could overtake Ards. Indeed if both sides win Ards could be seventh come Saturday morning!
The PASC bus will leave the Social Club/Gibson's Lane at 1.15 p.m and all fans are welcome.
Match Officials :-
Referee :- Shane McGonigle.
1st Assistant :- Gary Ewing.
2nd Assistant :- Robbie McMinn.